Motivating Staff Beyond A Salary Increase

Written by Jennie McDonagh, Ph.D.

A company’s success is a direct result of the staff which it employs. The driving force behind a business that works well is the company employees. Each and every one of them, in their own way, is responsible at some level for affecting results. And happy employees make for a happy company.

There is strong research to suggest that the happiness of a worker is directly related to productivity and that happiness is not simply related to an increase in their salary. Productivity has been shown to increase by up to 20% in some cases suggesting that managers should look very closely at ways of making staff ‘happy’ to ensure maximum output is achieved.

But How Do You Make Employees Happy?

So, if salary isn't the main factor in the equation, then what methods can we use to raise the happiness levels of workers?

The answer may surprise you.

Here are our top tips on how to keep the smile on the face of workers!

Increase Communication

As in our regular day to day life, good communication and being ‘heard’ is key to feeling valued and respected. We all know how it feels if our ideas and thoughts and opinions are not validated, let alone negated. This carries through to the workplace and can lead to real anxiety. People find themselves taking prescribed medication or natural supplements to help this condition.

Employers should promote a high level of communication between staff members and management. Feedback is key in understanding what is required of them. Regular open meetings should be standard to allow staff to express their concerns or ideas, whilst allowing employees to give valuable feedback to ensure that staff members are realizing their full potential.

Better Understand The Life, Work Balance

Life is what happens outside of the workplace. Albeit work being a means to an end for many (a way to pay the bills!), it is somewhere that many people spend the majority of their time. Feeling connected and ‘part’ of the organization is key to experiencing a positive feeling in the workplace. Gestalt psychology says that ‘the whole is something else than the sum of its parts’. The else, in this case, being the workers who have huge demands outside of their work commitments. Although they are not the whole, the whole is more easily achieved when the parts are taken care of. Using a car as a metaphor, understanding the needs and taking care of the parts, will ensure that the whole works more efficiently.

Reward With Vacation Days

Everyone loves their days off and there is nothing more enjoyable than an extra day ‘on the house’ to enjoy a longer lay in or that much-earned coffee shop treat (especially when everyone else is still at work that day!!). These should be dished out wisely and given to the superstars of the office to say a massive thank you for the hard work that they put in to achieve their goals. The great thing is that this offers a minable cost expense to the employee but an invaluable experience for the staff member who receives it. Time to spend with family and friends, or simply alone is priceless!

Pimp The Office!

It has been scientifically proven that the ‘right’ office environment is key to productivity. Elements like room temperature, wall color, and ventilation directly influence the well-being and performance of workers.

Providing the right stimulation can lead to actual brain boosting, similar to what you would get in a natural product. Employers should take the time to research what makes a good office into a great office. Some great ideas include:

Introduce some color to the walls
Choose an office space with natural sunlight
Make sure windows allow in much-needed ventilation
Provide healthy refreshments and snacks
Encourage workers to personalize their workspace

Motivating Staff Is Worth The Investment

Whether you are a worker or an employee, we can each take responsibility for making our working day much happier, brighter and more fulfilling. All it takes is a little time to think outside the box to make the workplace a place where workers want to be and productivity can flourish and reach new heights.